If you have to park a car for a longer period of time, you should take preventive measures beforehand to protect the vehicle from damage while parked. In addition, the car must be checked thoroughly before the first trip.
These are the most common types of damage over a long period of time
If a car is not moved for a long time, damage to the vehicle can occur while it is parked. In a report, mobile.de provides an overview of what is among the most common types of damage in the event of a longer standstill. The brake is particularly affected because, for example, the mechanics of the handbrake can rust. In the worst case, the “fixed brake” cannot be “braked free” by itself, but must be repaired.
Apart from the brakes, there are also frequent problems with the tires when the vehicle is parked for long periods. If the car is not moving, the same part of the tires is always loaded, which can lead to them being damaged. “And the less air there is in the tires, the more so. Since the air escapes over time, there is a risk of serious tire damage if the vehicle is parked for a long time,” explains mobile.de.
In addition, rubber parts that are on the vehicle, such as gaskets and boots, can harden, become porous or break over time.
Another part of the vehicle that suffers from long periods of inactivity is the battery. If this is not used for a longer period of time, deep discharge occurs and the car no longer starts.
Air conditioning systems are particularly prone to damage if they are not used for a long time. As mobile.de explains, these should generally be used several times a year. If the air conditioning system is not used, there is a risk of damage such as corrosion, leaks or damage to the air conditioning compressor.
In this way damage can be avoided
Rico Kretschmer, Head of Claims Management at R+V Versicherung, explains to Auto-Press that ideally you should move a car once a week, but at least once a month. If this is not possible, there are a few tips and tricks to largely avoid damage if the vehicle is parked for a long time.
First of all, it is important to find a suitable parking space for the car. Ideally, this should be protected from the weather and moisture. So a dry and secure place like a garage is best. In order to protect the tires from damage, it is advisable to increase the tire pressure (to prevent air leakage) and to move the car from time to time so that the load is not only placed on a single part of the tyres.
The best way to protect yourself from rusting brakes is to “dry brake” the car in dry weather and on a track that is as clean as possible, explains Auto-Bild.
To counteract a smelly air conditioning system, it should be switched off shortly before the end of the last journey. This allows the remaining condensed water to evaporate and it is no longer so easy for bacteria to multiply in the evaporator. As a precaution, the car battery should be connected to a trickle charger after parking. These ensure that the battery cannot become deeply discharged.
What needs to be considered before starting the car again
If the car has been parked for a longer period of time, for example if it has been over the winter, there are a few things to consider before driving for the first time. As the guide from web.de explains, the car should be checked thoroughly for possible damage caused by standing still. The tires and brakes are particularly important. The tire pressure should always be checked before the first ride. In addition, one should initially reckon with deteriorated braking performance, since the rust film has to be rubbed off first and the brakes have to come up to “temperature” again.
E. Schmal / Editor finanzen.net